Multi-Agency Response Recovers Submerged Vehicle from Cache la Poudre River After Crash
Emergency crews worked over three hours October 11 to extract a vehicle partially submerged in the Cache la Poudre River after it crashed down a steep 57-foot embankment, though both occupants escaped the car before responders arrived.
The Larimer County Sheriff's Office received the crash report around 4:40 p.m. The driver and passenger managed to exit the vehicle on their own before it became fully submerged in the river.
LCSO deputies, the agency's tactical rescue paramedic, Poudre Canyon Fire Protection District, UCHealth EMS and Colorado State Patrol all responded to the scene. The Larimer County Dive Rescue Team was activated to assist Crossroads Towing with vehicle recovery from the moving water.
Deputies managed traffic through the area while crews worked to haul the car up the steep embankment. All units cleared the scene shortly after 8 p.m.
Colorado State Patrol is investigating the crash. No information about injuries or the cause of the incident was released.
Specialized Water Rescue Capabilities Required
The Larimer County Dive Rescue Team maintains certified divers trained to national standards for water rescue and vehicle recovery operations in challenging environments. The volunteer specialty team partners with regional fire and law enforcement agencies throughout Larimer County for search, rescue and recovery in rivers, lakes and other water environments.
Team members meet NFPA 1006 Technical Rescuer Professional Qualifications specific to water rescue and dive operations, according to county emergency preparedness documentation. Members maintain annual proficiency training in water, ice and swiftwater rescue techniques.
The team deploys rescue boats, public safety dive gear, rope and pulley systems for swiftwater extrication, and specialized tools for accessing and securing vehicles in fast-moving water.
Canyon Corridor Presents Ongoing Safety Challenges
Colorado State Highway 14 runs parallel to the Cache la Poudre River through terrain known for sharp curves, steep drop-offs and seasonal hazards including ice, falling rocks and flash floods, according to Larimer County emergency preparedness guidance.
Vehicle crashes into the river occur periodically along the canyon corridor, with loss of control on sharp or icy curves, unstable road shoulders following floods or fires, poor visibility conditions and rockfall impact among major contributing factors.
The July 20, 2021 Black Hollow Debris Flow near Rustic killed four residents when debris swept vehicles into the river, demonstrating the severe risks present during extreme weather events in the canyon.
The Colorado Department of Transportation has installed guardrails and fencing at known hazard points, implemented rockfall mitigation measures including netting and barriers at major slide areas, and placed dynamic signage warning of wildlife, falling rock and flash flooding dangers. The agency also maintains emergency call boxes at strategic locations along the route.
Coordinated Response Highlights Regional Cooperation
The sheriff's office emphasized the complexity of coordinating multiple agencies for water rescue and vehicle recovery operations in challenging terrain.
"Coordinating resources is no easy feat on a call like this, and our Dispatchers really rose to the occasion," LCSO stated. "From full-time agency staff to certified volunteers, we're fortunate to have excellent public safety partners here in Larimer County."
The Poudre Canyon Fire Protection District serves the rural and mountainous regions of the canyon as an independent special district funded through property tax mill levies. The volunteer department provides basic firefighting, medical first response and initial scene control for vehicle crashes, activating mutual aid agreements with larger agencies for technical rescue capabilities.